Mount Dora To Fix Up Roads Leading Into Town

The First Phase, Starting Monday, Will Improve Donnelly Street For $244,000.

August 11, 2001|By Monica Scott, Sentinel Staff Writer

MOUNT DORA -- City officials want to extend quaintness and charm to the corridors leading into the popular downtown.

Plans call for lining the roads with antique lighting, adding sidewalks and installing crosswalks at intersections with decorative pavers distinguishing the odd-numbered streets.

First up is the main drag, Donnelly Street, followed by either the route into downtown from Old Highway 441 or First Avenue, which leads into town from U.S. Highway 441.

Construction begins Monday on the section of Donnelly between Seventh and Lincoln avenues and will continue through mid-October.

"When people see the Mount Dora city-limits signs, there is a certain expectation of aesthetics and quaintness," said Craig Willis, vice president of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce. "Quaintness is our reputation and what gets people coming here. We need to improve the main corridors into town."

Improvements for the first phase on Donnelly Street will cost $244,000 and will address traffic safety and circulation on the busy thoroughfare, said Gus Gianikas, assistant director of community development.

Gianikas said left-turn lanes are being installed at 11th and Lincoln avenues to prevent traffic from backing up and the potential danger of people trying to go around turning vehicles.

"This was a concern as we get more and more traffic," he said.

The second phase of the Donnelly project will extend improvements from Lincoln to Limit Avenue and is expected to cost in the same range.

Design work still has to be done for improvements along First Avenue and Old Highway 441.